Self-harm epidemic

FRESH evidence, if it were needed, of the terrible toll social media inflicts on our children: the soaring number being hospitalised for self-harm.

Disturbingly, almost 4,000 youngsters – some aged just nine – were treated last year after mutilating themselves.

Psychiatrists warn the epidemic is driven by websites such as Instagram showing sickening images which ‘normalise’ people slashing wrists and lacerating arms. From child abuse images to jihadist beheading videos, the mega-rich Silicon Valley firms have blithely turned a blind eye.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright is right to warn Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg that immediate action on this failing is the way to avoid regulation.